Veteran actor Manoj Kumar dies at 87; PM Modi pays respects

Mangalore Today News Network

Mumbai, April 4, 2025: Veteran actor Manoj Kumar, who earned the nickname Bharat Kumar, for patriotic films like Shaheed, Kranti, and Upkar, passed away in Mumbai on Friday.

His iconic Shirdi ke Sai Baba, is still a hit. Manoj Kumar was 87. He was ailing for some time because of age-related issues.

He passed away around 3:30 am at the Kokilaben Ambani Hospital, where he was admitted for the past few weeks.

Born Harikrishan Giri Goswami, he hailed from a Punjabi-Hindu Brahmin family from Abbottabad, presently in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa region of Pakistan.

Inspired by Ashok Kumar and Dilip Kumar, he took the screen name of Manoj Kumar.

Manoj Kumar is a recipient of a National Award, Padma Shri (1992) and Dadasaheb Phalke Award (2015).

He had received seven Filmfare Awards in various categories like Best Film, Best Director, Best Story, Best Actor, Best Dialogues and the Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award in 1999.

He gained widespread recognition with films such as Shaheed (1965), Upkar (1967), Purab Aur Paschim (1970) and Roti Kapda Aur Makaan (1974), Kranti (1981) many of which he also directed. His performance in Upkar solidified his patriotic image, leading to his famous nickname.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid rich tributes to the noted actor, lauding him as an icon of Indian cinema.

PM Modi said on X, "Deeply saddened by the passing of legendary actor and filmmaker Shri Manoj Kumar Ji. He was an icon of Indian cinema, who was particularly remembered for his patriotic zeal, which was also reflected in his films." Modi said Kumar’s films ignited a spirit of national pride and will continue to inspire generations.